Sources: Ford F-150 Getting More Productive for 2011

Posted by Mike Levine | April 29, 2010

The 2011 Ford F-150 will receive an updated instrument panel that includes an all-new driver information computer shared with the 2011 F-Series Super Duty, according to sources familiar with the truck.

Ford's so-called "Productivity Screen" is built around a 4.2-inch LCD display that provides graphically rich data to the driver, including information related to fuel economy, towing and off-road performance. The LCD is positioned between the tachometer and speedometer and its menus are navigated through a five-way button on the steering wheel.

Asked for comment about the new feature, a Ford spokesperson told PickupTrucks.com, "We will be revealing 2011 F-150 details closer to its customer launch later this year. However, our customers have come to expect F-Series trucks to continually improve and they won't be disappointed with the new model."

Here's video of the Productivity Screen in action in the Super Duty:

And our sources still say that the 2011 F-150 is getting a new six-cylinder engine in addition to the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 that’s slated to arrive by the end of this year. The new mill is the same Ti-VCT 3.7-liter V-6 that debuted recently in the 2010 Ford Mustang.

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Comments

Best-in-class fuel economy along with diesel like power and towing capability is lame? If you say so...

Posted by: Dave | May 2, 2010 9:47:35 AM

Apparently, the Chevy 5.3L V8 with 320HP/325lb-ft @4,400rpm is better for towing than the Ford 3.5 EB with 400HP/400lb-ft from 1600-5000rpm... I wonder how much torque the 5.3 has at 1600rpm lol.

Posted by: Alex | May 2, 2010 10:30:22 AM

"turbo charged gassers in pickups are lame...specially if you are trying to make you little 3.6 v6 work as hard as a v8 or v10. "

Who said anywhere it was going to take the place of a V10 or larger small block? The EB in the F150 is more likely a replacement for the anemic 4.6L. It is certainly not slated to be the heavy hauler motor option. They have the 5.0 and the 6.2 to fit that bill.

Posted by: Keith | May 2, 2010 11:11:36 AM

The EcoBoost will not a replacement for the 4.6. The 5.0 will likely replace the 4.6 The EcoBoost will replace the 5.4 and be the premium engine with diesel like power and the best fuel economy and best of all it will be cheaper than a diesel.

"The EcoBoost 3.5 will be offered as a PREMIUM engine upgrade over the 5.4 and targeting that premium-engine customer. They’re the customer we have to satisfy, and they’re the TOWERS.” - Dan Kapp, Ford’s director of powertrain research and advanced engineering

Posted by: Dave | May 2, 2010 12:26:37 PM

Read this:

http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=29657
Posted by: Power Kid

----

Power Kid,
Good post.

Posted by: Dave | May 2, 2010 12:29:54 PM

I think that the EB engines will suite most people's needs. How often do you see 1/2 ton pickups pulling 10,000 lb trailers anyway? They've been tested for those loads and beyond.
We still have to wait and see what Ford or any other company is planning engine wise.
Ford seems to be offering the most options or should I say "potential" options at this time. Ford will have a 2 - 3 year head start on GM.
GM will have new engines out around 2013.
Chrysler hasn't said anything official or even semi-official. Fiat probably hasn't made up its mind as to what they are going to do with/to Dodge.
I'd rather see all the effort put into aerodynamics and drivetrains than dash displays. I'd suspect Heads Up Displays would be the wave of the future anyway.

Posted by: Lou | May 2, 2010 1:03:18 PM

@ billiejoe

Cause there are so many V10 half tons available!

Posted by: Irwin | May 2, 2010 1:36:00 PM

@Dave on May 1, 2010 10:20:16 AM

LOL Onstar is watching you Ed. Be careful what you say in these ads, else you're going to be out faster than Fritz Henderson.

Posted by: Billy | May 2, 2010 2:48:24 PM

Heads up display like my buddies 93 Grand Prix? Somehow he never missed it!

Posted by: Irwin | May 2, 2010 7:49:23 PM

I would like to know if the SVT raptor is a 2010 model year only, or if ford plans on making it a regular in their stable. i've seen the spy shots for the short box crew cab that they claim is only available in the 6.2L, so I would assume that it would be a 2011 model.

any other proof to that statement?

Posted by: Dean | May 2, 2010 8:37:05 PM

@Todd: Yes, to both questions.

Posted by: Mike Levine | May 2, 2010 10:55:23 PM

ya those turbos really held up well in the shitbox 6.0 and 6.4....o wait

I will take a bullet-proof 5.3 V8 over this unproven engine...(unproven in a truck)

Posted by: jake | May 2, 2010 11:00:12 PM

LOL @ 5.3 and "bulletproof"

Posted by: Alex | May 2, 2010 11:32:02 PM

To even mention the torqueless 5.3L in a EB article is quite shocking! :O

Posted by: Irwin | May 2, 2010 11:45:19 PM

I want a f 150 like yesterday, should I wait for 2011 or get a great deal on 2010? I keep hearing al these rumors of new engines and features. Please advise.

Posted by: john | May 3, 2010 12:33:49 AM

DOHC OHC and so on......pushrod angines are way better....

too much technology in these new EB,DI makes them more expensive and harder to work on, they also wont last as long as a pushrod....i have seen the chevy 350 "1988-1998" break the million mile mark.

where i live and everywhere i see chevrolets c/k still going strong.....that is why i will take a pushrod engine every time.

LONGEVITY OR MPG's? 'll take longevity!!!

power? simple upgrades will raise power and torque..

Posted by: billiejoe | May 3, 2010 10:26:10 AM

LONGEVITY OR MPG's? 'll take longevity!!!
power? simple upgrades will raise power and torque

Buy a Ford and you take care of all of that.

Posted by: Tony | May 3, 2010 5:39:25 PM

@John If it were me I would wait until the 2011MY pickups came out. Not that there is anything wrong with the current lineup but if you can wait a few more months then you will get a lot more horsepower with just a little bit more fuel economy. Now if you don't intend to tow heavy loads or just want a grocery hauler then go ahead and buy one now.

Current lineup:
4.6L 2valve = HP 248@4,750 / TQ 294@4000
$.6L 3valve = HP 292@5,700 / TQ 320@4000
5.4L 3valve = HP 310@5,000 / TQ 365@3500

6.2L 2valve = HP 411@5500 / TQ 434@4500 (Raptor only)
6.2L 2valve = HP 385@5500 / TQ 405@4500 (Super Duty)
6.7L 4valve = HP 390 / TQ 735 (Super Duty)

Future Lineup: (All Numbers are rumored estimates)
3.7L V6 300hp TQ ?
5.0L V8 400hp / 400tq ?
3.5L V6 ecoboost 365hp / 365tq ?
6.2 and 6.7L remain the same...

So like I said these numbers are good estimates of whats been floating around on the internet. If Power is not an issue then get a nice 5.4L. Heck with a few under the hood tweaks and a nice chip upgrade the 5.4 can easily get closer to 350 - 400 hp to.

Posted by: Shawn | May 6, 2010 9:20:10 PM

Having spent many miles driving an F-450 w/a 30ft trailer as a landscaper, constantly hooking and unhooking it at every stop, I think this so called 'productivity' technology is going to be a flop with commercial businesses. For someone who knows what they're doing, It's actually a non-productive rime waster.

Look, after doing it the first 10 times, I could (and still can) hook up a remotely braked trailer in my sleep. Anyone short of a severely mentally challenged individual would be able to also (and I worked with some beauts, so I know). If I had to keep punching 'OK' buttons just to be allowed to start driving, which I'm assuming is the function of the "Checklist" shown above, I'd put a screwdriver through that screen real quick.

I agree with what that other fellow said - Ford (and everybody else making autos) should stop with this incessant electronic nannying and invest their time and money in giving us more reliable, more fuel efficient vehicles.

Mark my words; accident numbers won't have budged - up or down - well after 'stability-this' & 'traction-that' vehicles have become the critical mass of drivers.

Posted by: BC Saxman | May 6, 2010 10:12:20 PM

Personally I'm not to excited about the Ecoboost. I don't even care if it does turn out to be a reliable engine. I'm still going to buy either a 5.0L or 6.2L V8 because that's just who I am. I don't want a 1/2 ton with a V6. If the new Ecoboost does work out great. Then awesome! But I still want a V8 plain and simple.

You also have to wonder if Obama had not passed the CAFE Law, Would the Ecoboost F-150 even be a thought? Personally I think had it not been for the new CAFE requirements the 6.2L would be the only top engine offering and it would be spread across all models like the 3.5L is.

Posted by: Nate | Sep 5, 2010 9:46:27 PM